To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University
EPP-7080
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets
are also available on our website at:
http://osufacts.okstate.edu
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Tanya C. Franke Research Associate
Kathleen D. Kelsey, Ph.D. Professor
Tom A. Royer, Ph.D. Professor & IPM Coordinator
Acknowledgement
Funding for this guide was made available by the Oklahoma State University IPM Program.
Corn represents an important row crop for Oklahoma growers. Field corn is grown predominantly in the Oklahoma Panhandle, north-central and eastern Oklahoma. Acreage devoted to corn production has slightly declined during the past 10 years, averaging 286,000 acres planted, from 1996 to 2000 through 252,000 acres planted from 2001 through 2005. Yields have declined slightly, averaging 140 bushels per acre from 1996 through 2000 and 129 bushels per acre from 2001 through 2005 (NASS, 2006). In 2006, 210,000 acres of corn were harvested (NASS 2008), which produced an average yield of 105 bushels per acre. The top five counties for corn production included Texas, Cimarron, Kay, McCurtain, and Ottawa (NASS, 2006).
A self-administered mailed survey was developed (Dill­man, 2007) by T. Franke and K. Kelsey in consultation with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service faculty who had expertise in entomology, plant pathology, and plant and soil sciences. The objective of this survey was to identify pest management needs of Oklahoma corn producers and use that information to guide Oklahoma State University’s research and Extension programs in addressing the most critical needs. The survey asked Oklahoma field corn producers to report information regarding their production management practices in regard to soil fertility, insects, and weeds. The population for the study consisted of 1,250 Oklahoma field corn producers in 2006, while the sample consisted of a randomly stratified sample (n = 297). Seventy-four (74) of the 297 surveys were returned (25 percent response rate). The 74 respondents planted 21,758 acres of field corn (average of 294 acres per producer) representing about 8 percent of the total corn grown. It should be noted that 2006 was a severe drought year fol­lowing several drought years, which may have affected the responses to the survey.
Findings
The issues identified by respondents that were of greatest concern with growing corn are listed in Table 1.
Pest Management Needs Assessment for Oklahoma Corn Producers
Other concerns with growing field corn mentioned by producers included: feed, water, and fuel prices for irrigation (listed once each).
Soil Fertility
Respondents (79.1 percent) identified soil fertility as the top issue with growing corn. They listed nitrogen deficiency (f = 46) followed by phosphorus deficiency (f = 30) as the most important fertility problems. (Table 2).
Weeds
A majority of respondents (73.1 percent) identified weeds as an issue of high concern with growing field corn. Johnsongrass (f = 53), followed by kochia (f = 28) and field bindweed (Table 3). Various herbicides were used to treat weed problems with field corn during 2006. Table 4 notes the herbicides used and the application methods.
Table 2. Soil fertility issues associated with growing corn as identified by Oklahoma survey respondents.
Element Frequency (f)
Nitrogen 46
Phosphorus 30
Low pH (acid soil) 18
Potassium 17
Zinc 16
Sulfur 13
Salinity 5
Calcium 3
Table 1. Top concerns with corn production identified by Oklahoma survey respondents.
High Moderate Low No
Issue Concern Concern Concern Concern
Soil fertility 79.1% 20.9% 0.0% 0.0%
Weeds 73.1% 25.4% 1.5% 0.0%
Harvest 55.2% 25.4% 14.9% 4.5%
Insects 47.8% 29.9% 19.4% 3.0%
Diseases 43.1% 36.9% 16.9% 3.1%
Aflatoxin 36.5% 25.4% 31.7% 6.3%

Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University
EPP-7080
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets
are also available on our website at:
http://osufacts.okstate.edu
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Tanya C. Franke Research Associate
Kathleen D. Kelsey, Ph.D. Professor
Tom A. Royer, Ph.D. Professor & IPM Coordinator
Acknowledgement
Funding for this guide was made available by the Oklahoma State University IPM Program.
Corn represents an important row crop for Oklahoma growers. Field corn is grown predominantly in the Oklahoma Panhandle, north-central and eastern Oklahoma. Acreage devoted to corn production has slightly declined during the past 10 years, averaging 286,000 acres planted, from 1996 to 2000 through 252,000 acres planted from 2001 through 2005. Yields have declined slightly, averaging 140 bushels per acre from 1996 through 2000 and 129 bushels per acre from 2001 through 2005 (NASS, 2006). In 2006, 210,000 acres of corn were harvested (NASS 2008), which produced an average yield of 105 bushels per acre. The top five counties for corn production included Texas, Cimarron, Kay, McCurtain, and Ottawa (NASS, 2006).
A self-administered mailed survey was developed (Dill­man, 2007) by T. Franke and K. Kelsey in consultation with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service faculty who had expertise in entomology, plant pathology, and plant and soil sciences. The objective of this survey was to identify pest management needs of Oklahoma corn producers and use that information to guide Oklahoma State University’s research and Extension programs in addressing the most critical needs. The survey asked Oklahoma field corn producers to report information regarding their production management practices in regard to soil fertility, insects, and weeds. The population for the study consisted of 1,250 Oklahoma field corn producers in 2006, while the sample consisted of a randomly stratified sample (n = 297). Seventy-four (74) of the 297 surveys were returned (25 percent response rate). The 74 respondents planted 21,758 acres of field corn (average of 294 acres per producer) representing about 8 percent of the total corn grown. It should be noted that 2006 was a severe drought year fol­lowing several drought years, which may have affected the responses to the survey.
Findings
The issues identified by respondents that were of greatest concern with growing corn are listed in Table 1.
Pest Management Needs Assessment for Oklahoma Corn Producers
Other concerns with growing field corn mentioned by producers included: feed, water, and fuel prices for irrigation (listed once each).
Soil Fertility
Respondents (79.1 percent) identified soil fertility as the top issue with growing corn. They listed nitrogen deficiency (f = 46) followed by phosphorus deficiency (f = 30) as the most important fertility problems. (Table 2).
Weeds
A majority of respondents (73.1 percent) identified weeds as an issue of high concern with growing field corn. Johnsongrass (f = 53), followed by kochia (f = 28) and field bindweed (Table 3). Various herbicides were used to treat weed problems with field corn during 2006. Table 4 notes the herbicides used and the application methods.
Table 2. Soil fertility issues associated with growing corn as identified by Oklahoma survey respondents.
Element Frequency (f)
Nitrogen 46
Phosphorus 30
Low pH (acid soil) 18
Potassium 17
Zinc 16
Sulfur 13
Salinity 5
Calcium 3
Table 1. Top concerns with corn production identified by Oklahoma survey respondents.
High Moderate Low No
Issue Concern Concern Concern Concern
Soil fertility 79.1% 20.9% 0.0% 0.0%
Weeds 73.1% 25.4% 1.5% 0.0%
Harvest 55.2% 25.4% 14.9% 4.5%
Insects 47.8% 29.9% 19.4% 3.0%
Diseases 43.1% 36.9% 16.9% 3.1%
Aflatoxin 36.5% 25.4% 31.7% 6.3%